Doctor Antoine raised his head to look at the ladies; he removed his broad-brimmed hat, disclosing his almost bald head and his cheerful, ruddy face, and made them a low bow, which they instantly acknowledged.
"Look you," said the doctor to the gardener, "as the garden gate is open, I can shorten my walk home materially by going through the garden."
"I should say so; it will shorten it by half."
"That being so, I will go that way; and suppose I should pay my respects to these ladies at the same time? What do you say, Ledrux?"
"It seems to me that it can't do 'em any harm, even if it don't do 'em any good!"
"That's so; and then—we shall know each other; and when they come here to live, if they happen to be sick, why, they'll send for me."
"Sure enough! especially as you're the only doctor in the neighborhood."
"Yes; but you see that they sent for me from Gournay; that proves that everybody doesn't take the one who is nearest."
"Ah! you're a shrewd one, you are! you always have an eye to the main chance!"
"There's no law against looking after one's business."